Marcelo Gallardo, currently free since his departure from River Plate, will coach Saudi Arabia’s selection of top players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, in the friendly against Lionel Messi’s PSG.
Marcelo Gallardo (46) has already found a bench… for one game. The Argentine coach has been chosen to coach a selection made up of the best players from the two Saudi teams of Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal for the friendly against PSG on 19 January. Gallardo is free from the announcement last October of his departure from River Plate, where he spent eight years (2004-2012) and won 14 titles, including two Copa Libertadores (2015 and 2018).
The one who is nicknamed “El Muneco” (the doll) will therefore lead Cristiano Ronaldo who officially signed this week with Al-Nassr and will challenge his compatriot Lionel Messi, PSG striker. Gallardo, who moved from Monaco (1999-2003), will also return to Paris where he played for one season (2007-2008).
Wenger would assume this role in 2022
PSG were originally set to travel to Saudi Arabia in January 2022 to face this selection of top players who would be coached by Arsene Wenger. But the club had finally canceled the internship in Qatar in mid-January and by extension this fun friendly due to the Covid-related health situation. It reaches it this year with another prestigious guest in the cast: CR7.
